For most of my adult life, I wanted an Alaskan Malamute. I researched the breed for years, and even picked Nakiska's name in 1988, even though I didn't become his pet parent until 2001.

The name comes from the name of the mountain that was used during the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. It's a Cree Indian word that means, "where friends meet." This described him to a tee. Everywhere we went, he felt that he was the meeting place, and everyone he met was automatically his friend.

His sweet spirit and gentle nature taught me many lessons about life and my relationship with God. He loved long walks and playing keep away with his favorite toy. In the winter time, his favorite game was "snow ball." All I had to do is make a snow ball, throw it as far as I could, and watch him dive head first to retrieve an icy snack.

Even though he was 125 pounds, he thought he deserved to snuggle on the love seat as I watched TV, or a quick nap on the bed with me on those rare occasions when I slept in. Through all of the highs and lows of the past 12 years, he was my best buddy.

I will always love and miss Nakiska. My life is better because of him.